Germany pushed very hard at the very beginning and posed a real threat in the fourth minute.

A Bastian Schweinsteiger corner was headed into the path of Sebastian Kehl by Christoph Metzelder. Metzelder's volleyed goalbound effort appeared to hit the hand of Nuno Valente inside the area, but referee Toru Kamikawa waved play on.

Portugal also displayed some lovely one-touch passing sequence and in the 16th minute, Pauleta run onto a wonderful through ball from Sabarosa and was alone facing Oliver Kahn, but the keeper made the save.

Germany's Oliver Kahn gestures during the World Cup 2006 third place soccer match between Germany and Portugal in Stuttgart July 8, 2006.[Reuters]

Kahn, who had sit out Germany's previous matches, replaced Jens Lehmann in the German goal for his first appearance at this summer' s showpiece tournament.

The 2002 Gold Ball winner showed some fine touches to the ovation of the predominantly Germany-supporting crowd.

"The atomosphere here was so wonderful. Just imagine what it would be if we had got the world champion," said Kahn.

The 37-year-old announced his retirement from the international arena after the match.

"This was my last game with the national team. I can't imagine a previous game more beautiful than this. It was one of the greatest moment if not the greatest. I will cherish it in my memory," he said.

Figo, who announced his retirement from international football after the end of the tournament, was a surprise exclusion from the starting line-up to face Germany.

He came on in the 77th minute, substituting ineffective Pauleta.

Portugal's coach Luiz Felipe Scolari took an easy line after the defeat.

"It's a wonderful game. We didn't made many mistakes. But the German were very effective and we couldn't help that," he said.

"We had some chances but not convert them. Now I can't say anything about my future."